Ren woke up to the soft sound of raindrops pattering against the roof of the small hotel room. The gray light filtering through the window suggested it was already past nine in the morning. Unlike other days, today carried no urgency—no monsters to fight, no trials to survive, no deadlines for mana recovery. For once, Ren could simply enjoy being alive.
Stretching and yawning, he swung his legs off the bed. His pouch of coins jingled lightly against his side—a reminder of the little wealth he had earned in the past week. He smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes, deciding today he would treat himself. After all, he had been through enough, and even the smallest pleasures now felt monumental.
By ten, Ren had donned one of his better shirts—worn but clean—and stepped outside into the misty drizzle. The streets glistened with rain, and the scent of wet earth mingled with the aroma of street food. He wandered past the small stadiums scattered around town, watching as children and novices tested their abilities in harmless duels. Some wielded swords, others shaped elemental magic into simple attacks. Ren tilted his head, curious, observing their techniques and imagining how he might refine his own moves.
Soon, he approached a small food stall and bought a modest breakfast—rice, a simple omelette, and a steaming cup of sweet milk tea. The cheerful warmth of the food and the soft chatter of people around him lifted his spirits further. He laughed quietly at himself, realizing how happy such ordinary pleasures made him feel. For a moment, the trials, the guardians, the monsters—they were all far away.
Walking along the cobblestone streets, he treated himself to a small ice cream, spinning it slowly in his hand while enjoying the rhythm of the rain. The droplets clung to his hair, and he tilted his face upward, letting the cool water mix with the sweet cream. Life, he thought, didn't have to be all battles and mana calculations. Today, he could simply exist.
By early afternoon, Ren had wandered back toward the hotel. Along the way, he kept an eye out for anything interesting—a sparring match in a small alley, a merchant displaying trinkets, the occasional odd magic experiment—but mostly, he walked just for the joy of walking. He found a small bento shop and bought some food for his father, tucking it carefully in his pouch. The sight of him carrying something for someone else, rather than just himself, made him grin quietly.
Upon returning to the hotel, the warm smell of stew and the sound of the father's soft humming greeted him. His father looked up from a small table where he had been sorting receipts and cleaning tools, his tired eyes lighting up at the sight of Ren.
"You're back earlier than usual," his father said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"I… just wanted to walk around, see the rain, and enjoy some food," Ren said cheerfully, setting down the bento and the ice cream he had kept for himself. "I bought something for you too."
His father chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Always thinking of others, huh? Sit. Let's eat together."
They shared a quiet meal, the rain pattering steadily outside. The father didn't speak much, but his presence was comforting, grounding Ren in a way that no victory or point gain ever could. Between bites of rice and stew, Ren's mind wandered to the coming days—the training, the trials, the monsters—but today, he let himself be a boy. Just a boy who could walk in the rain, enjoy ice cream, and eat with his father without worry.
As the evening stretched on, Ren moved to the window, gazing at the wet streets and the fading light. The clouds above were thick and gray, but the soft glow of the moon began to pierce through, casting silver streaks over the city. A gentle wind carried the scent of wet grass and firewood, and for the first time in days, Ren felt a calmness that had nothing to do with magic or strategy.
Tomorrow, he knew, the trials would continue. The world would demand his attention, his skill, and his courage once more. But for tonight, under the gentle patter of rain and the watchful gaze of the moon, Ren simply smiled. He was alive, he was free, and he was, for once, entirely himself.